Do You See Anything

Originally published in Feb 2025

"He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the

man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and

said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on

the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything

clearly." Mark 8:23-25

How often do we see "trees"; instead of what is truly in front of us? I know I am guilty of this!

Maybe a clerk isn't very kind to me:

Do I wonder what's going on in their lives to make them act this way? Or do I immediately jump to the conclusion that they are just "mean?"

Maybe someone cuts me off in traffic:

Do I think they may have an emergency with a loved one? Or do I get angry and shake my fist at them?

Maybe a friend makes an off-hand comment that hurts my feelings:

Do I ask them to help me understand what they meant? Or do I get my feelings hurt and shut down on them?

THE WORLD NORM:

• People are mean.

• People are judgmental.

• People aren't worth our time.

In Mark 8, Jesus has fed the 5,000, taken His disciples to another area, and then are in the boot on their way back across the water. The disciples have forgotten to prepare and were concerned that they only had one loaf of bread for the trip. Jesus reminded them of the miracle that had recently happened with the 5,000 and then asked, "Do you still not understand?" Mark 8:21

Even the disciples, who lived with Jesus for three years, who saw His many miracles, who sat at His feet and listened to His teachings, still sometimes failed to see and to understand through His eyes. Jesus then showed them they were still seeing "trees" by healing a blind man.

So how do we "see clearly?" How do we become more like God?

We choose the Godly norm!

THE GODLY NORM:

• You seem to be having a rough time. I will pray for you.

• I hope everything is okay, they are hurrying somewhere!

• She didn't mean that like it sounded, I know this because she is my friend.

This is our mission! We are to follow Jesus so closely we get the dirt from His sandals all over us. We are to be in His word so often that our words are His words. We are to see through His eyes, with His love and compassion, knowing that everyone has been created in His image. Then, bit by bit, little by little, we will begin "seeing clearly," we will begin to have the "Godly norm!"

"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

OUR RESPONSE:

Let's ask God today to heal our sight. Let's do what needs to be done to see clearly. Let's not see the "trees," let's instead see the people that are put in our path every day. Let's become so focused on Him that we become more like the Godly norm.

I'd love to hear your comments: How would you answer Jesus' question today: Do you see anything?

Until next time,

Vickie